Display device for merchandising machines



July 26, 1955 c. GABRIELSEN DISPLAY DEVICE FOR MERCHANDISING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21 1951 l I l i INVENTOR CHE/5 774w 6452/5455 ATroeA/Er July 26, 1955 C. GABRIELSEN DISPLAY DEVICE FOR MERCHANDISING MACHINES Filed May 21. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CHE/5779M GHBE/EL SEN wag. 3

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United States Patent() 2,713,739 DISPLAY DEVICE FQR MERCHANDISING MACHINES Christian Gabrieisen, Mountain Lakes, N. J., assignor to Rowe Manufacturing Co., Inc., Whippany, N. J., a corporation of New York Application May 21, 1951, Serial No. 227,491

2 Claims. (Cl. 40-71) My invention relates to a display device for merchandising machines and more particularly to a device for displaying slogans, advertising matter, information, legends, or the like, upon a merchandising machine and for causing a new display to be made concomitantly with the operation of the machine.

it is customary in the operation of merchandising machines to place advertising display matter upon the machine. For example, if the merchandising machine were used in connection with the sale of cigarettes, one brand of cigarettes might be advertised in a permanent display panel. A stationary display soon loses its eyeattracting quality and becomes stale. Accordingly, attempts are made to change the advertising display associated with merchandising machines at frequent intervals. This may be a time-consuming task since an operator usually has a large number of machines to service.

One object of my invention is to provide a display device for merchandising machines in which there are a plurality of display cards one of which is adapted to be viewed through a window and in which the cards are automatically changed so that a new card is displayed automatically concomitantly with the operation of the merchandising machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a display device in which a plurality of display cards may be successively presented to view automatically upon the operation of the machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a display device Which will remain stationary and which will be automatically removed and replaced by another display when the machine is operated.

While I will describe my invention with respect to an advertising display, it is to be assumed, of course, that any suitable legend, slogan, photograph, picture, or the like, may be displayed in my display device either for advertising, entertainment or amusement purposes. The display, for example, may consist of a proverb or philosophic saying, it may consist of a thought for the day, it may comprise a Work of art or it may constitute an advertisement.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of a window in the casing of the merchandising machine behind which is associated a rotary cardholder adapted to hold a plurality of display cards. Means are provided whereby the display cards may be quickly and easily replaced after the series have served their purpose. The rotary cardholder is stepped around by each operation of the machine to bring a new card into position for viewing through the window.

For purposes of convenience I will describe a cardholder having four cards with a stepping device adapted to rotate the cardholder 90 with each operation. It

is to be understood, of course, that the cardholder may be constructed to hold any convenient number of cards, in which case the stepping device will operate through a different angle. If, for example, six cards are employed, the cardholder would he stepped around 60 with each operation.

If twelve cards are to be dis- 2,713,739 Patented July 26, 1955 ice Cal

played, the stepping device will step around 30 for each operation. The principle of operation is the same in each case and the construction is identical, except that the parts will have to be diiterently proportioned, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a merchandising machine associated with a display device of my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation viewed along the line 44 of Figure 3 showing the parts in one position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the parts in another position.

In general, my invention contemplates the provision of a cardholder mounted for rotation within the housing of a merchandising machine adjacent a window formed in the housing. Means are provided for stepping the cardholder through a predetermined angle with each operation of the merchandising machine. The stepping means are automatically operated with the operation of the merchandising machine. The cardholder is adapted to display a card through the window and a plurality of cards are carried by the cardholder in a readily detachable manner so that they may be easily changed. A stepping device locks the card in position until the next operation of the merchandising machine.

More particularly referring now to the drawings, a merchandising machine, indicated generally by the reference numeral 19, is provided with a plurality of operating handles 12 associated with the columns or" merchandise within the machine. Upon the insertion of coins of proper denomination in the merchandising machine, a handle 12 may be pulled to operate an operating bar 14 which operates the mechanism for causing merchandise to be dispensed from the machine. The merchandising machine is provided with a door 16 which is adapted to be opened to permit the columns for holding merchandise to be loaded. The door is provided with a window 18 through which the display may be seen. A bracket 20, shown in Figures 2 and 3, is secured adjacent its upper end by a machine screw 22 to the door 16. The display device is supported between the bracket 20 and the door 16, as can readily be seen by a reference to Figures 3 and 5.

Referring now to Figure 5, a plate 24 is riveted to the door by means of rivets 26. A stud 28 is secured to the plate. The cardholder support comprises a pair of discs 30 spaced apart by pins 32. in the case I am describing there are four pins 32 spaced apart. It the display device were to be for eight cards, there would be eight pins spaced 45 apart. The cardholder support is rotatably mounted upon the stud 28. The other end of stud 28 is supported from the lower end of bracket 20 by a screw 34. A spacer 36 spaces the cardholder support from the door plate 24. The cardholder proper 38 is carried by the cardholder support riding loosely on the pins 32. A spring 40 urges the cardholder to the right, as viewed in Figure 5.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be observed that the cardholder carries a plurality of spring clips 42 adapted to hold cards 44, shown in dotted outline. Guide lugs 46 are provided upon the cardholder 38 to put the lower edges of the cards properly in position to be held by the spring clips 42 so that the upper card may always be in position behind the window 18 of the door 16. The bracket 26 carries a boss 50 on which I pivotally mount a sector 52 around a cap screw 54. The sector 52 is provided with a re-entrant portion 56 and a stop portion 58. A pawl 60 is pivoted around a pin 62 carried by the sector 52. A spring 64 urges the pawl to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 4 and 6. A stop lug 66 is formed upon the sector 52 to limit the counterclockwise rotation of the pawl 60. A link 68 is pivotally connected to the sector 52 by means of a screw 70. Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the link 68 is urged to the left by means of a spring 72, one end of which is attached to the bracket 20 and the other end of which is attached to the link 63. A bell crank 74 is pivotally carried by the door 16 for rotation about pivot pin 76. The other end of link 68 is pivotally connected to one arm of the bell crank 74 by means of the pin 78. A pull rod 80 has its upper end connected to a coupling member 82 which is adjustahly secured to the other arm of hell crank 74 by means of screw and bolt 84. The lower end of pull rod 80 is secured to an angle plate 86 which is carried by the plate 88 which is mounted for vertical movement in a bracket 90 carried by the door 16. A lever 92 has one end thereof pivoted about pin 94 and the other end resting upon the plate 86. It will be seen that the tension of spring 72 rotates the bell crank 74 in a counterclockwise direction through link 68. This raises the plate 86 through the rod 80 and thus raises the lever 92. The operating bar 14 is constrained to move in a horizontal plane due to mechanism associated with the merchandising machine proper (not shown) as is known to the art. When one of the handles 12 is pulled, the operating bar will move to the right, as viewed in Figure 3, camming the lever 92 downwardly. This will move the plate 86 downwardly and thus pull rod 80 downwardly rotating the bell crank 74 in a clockwise direction and moving the link 68 to the right against the action of spring 72. When this occurs the parts will assume the position shown in Figure 6. The spring 64 will have permitted the pawl 60 to ride over the pin 32 and assume a position behind the pin. When the operating bar is returned to the position shown in Figure 3 by the completion of the purchase, the spring 72 will move the link 68 to the left to rotate the sector 52 in a clockwise direction. When this occurs the pin 32 will be pushed to the left by the toe of the pawl 60 and thus rotate the disc 30 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 4 and 6. The re-entrant portion 56 permits the pin to ride upwardly into the re-entrant portion. The pin occupying the position 32 in Figure 6 will now move up to engage the stop 58 of the sector, as shown in Figure 4. In this position the pin 32 cannot rotate upwardly due to the fact that it engages the lower edge of the sector 52. It cannot move to the right due to the fact that it is against the stop member 58 which is maintained in position by the spring 72. In this manner the uppermost card will he in position to be viewed through the window 18. Upon the next operation of the merchandising machine the card occupying the position 44' in Figure 2 will be moved into View through the window. The operation is automatic and concomitant with the operation of the merchandising machine since the merchandising machine is operated by the operating bar. For purposes of simplicity I have shown a handle 12 adapted to be pulled to operate a finger 13 to move the operating bar, one such finger 13 being associated with each handle 12. It is to be understood, of course, that my invention is applicable to operating bars moved by prime movers, such as electric motors in the case of electrically operated merchandising machines. The salient feature of the invention is that whenever the operating bar is moved the cardholder is automatically rotated to position a new card for display and viewing through the window of the merchandising machine.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided a display device associated with a merchandising machine in which there are a plurality of displays viewable through a window in the merchandising machine. The arrangement is such that whenever the merchandising machine is operated the display is automatically changed and the displays are viewed in succession, one being presented upon each operation of the merchandising machine. The displays are mounted in a readily releasable manner so that the plurality of displays can be quickly and conveniently changed from time to time. The display-changing device maintains a display behind the window in a positive fashion. My construction is simple, sure of operation and automatic in its performance.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is therefore to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A display device for merchandising machines including in combination a housing formed with a window, a horizontal shaft supported by the housing adjacent the window, a carrier rotatably mounted on the shaft, a display holder supported by the carrier for rotation therewith, means for securing displays to the holder for successive viewing through the window, a plurality of pins carried by the carrier, a pivoted sector formed with a reentrant portion and a stop, means for pivotally mounting the sector adjacent the carrier, a spring for biasing the sector to rotate to bring the stop into engagement with one of the pins, a pawl carried by the sector and adapted successively to engage the pins, the end of the pawl being positioned adjacent the re-entrant portion, a link having one end pivotally secured to the sector, a bell crank having a pair of arms, means for pivotally mounting the bell crank within the housing, means for connecting the other end of the link to one of the bell crank arms, a merchandising machine operating bar, means responsive to the movement of the operating bar for rotating the bell crank whereby to actuate the sector to rotate the carrier upon each operation of the operating bar.

2. A display device for merchandising machines including in combination a housing formed with a window, a rotatable carrier supported within the housing, a plurality of displays, means for mounting the displays upon the carrier, means for operating the merchandising machine, a sector formed with a re-entrant portion and a stop, means for pivotally mounting the sector adjacent the carrier, a plurality of pins carried by the carrier, a spring for biasing the sector to move the stop to a position engaging one of the pins, a pawl carried by the sector with the end of the pawl positioned adjacent the re-entrant portion of the sector, the construction being such that when the pawl engages a pin, the movement of the sector will rotate the carrier and the engaged pin will move into the re-entrant portion, and means responsive to the movement of the merchandising machine operating means for rotating the sector against the action of the spring to bring the pawl into pin-engaging position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 174,410 Butler Mar. 7, 1876 817,251 Killen Apr. 10, 1906 900,756 Mendenhall Oct. 13, 1908 994,363 Augir June 6, 1911 1,759,031 Antoine May 20, 1930 

